Jump to:
Visitors coming to Ghana have a lot to enjoy and be happy about. The beautiful culture, wildlife, and birds are some reasons why visitors throng this West African country almost all year round.
Ghana lies in the same time zone as the United Kingdom. However, this country doesn’t have the same seasons as the European countries and experiences a fair share of wet and dry months all year.
Being a few degrees from the equator gives the country an average temperature all year long. In most cases, the nights are cooler than the day. Still, tourists from colder countries find Ghana hot in all seasons.
Below, we’ll provide you with a detailed guide with reviews on different seasons, why many tourists come to Ghana, and what you need to know before booking your flight to the country.
Why You Should Visit Ghana
Felix Lipov/Shutterstock
Tourists have a lot to see and do in Ghana. The country’s beautiful culture is why many people want to come and spend their vacations here.
The frequent events happening all year long, including the Ashanti Akwasidae celebrations, Afrochella festivals, and the Dipo Festivals, are among the beautiful reasons you may want to come to Ghana.
The friendly, vibrant, and helpful citizens, flavorful cuisines, vibrant clothing, cultural drums, beautiful dances, and songs will keep you interested and help you enjoy your stay in Ghana.
While here, visit the slave forts and learn about the country’s dark history. Besides the people and culture, Ghana boasts a beautiful coastline stretch of over 300 miles, landmarks, wildlife, and an excellent bird-watching spot.
Come to Ghana, relax on the beautiful beaches, visit the parks, spend some time with your favorite wildlife, or enjoy some hikes on the eastern side.
Overall Best Time to Visit Ghana
Pronto Kwabena Sakyi/Shutterstock
From October to March, the dry season is the busiest and best time to visit Ghana. The rains are zero to minimal, making the roads passable and traveling easier. Also, the climate is cooler and less humid, making it more comfortable to stay in the country.
The duration also marks the peak of several Ghanaian events and festivals. The Afrochella celebrations, which celebrate African culture, arts, and fashion, take place at this time.
While it happens on repeat (every sixth Sunday), the Ashanti Akwasidae celebrations hit differently with people around. Meet the Ashanti King and chiefs while jamming to the beautiful drums, songs, and fun dances.
For wildlife lovers, December through March is the time to spot the elephants, hyenas, buffaloes, and monkeys trying to get water from the remaining wet holes.
Also, bird-watching enthusiasts can treat themselves to some exciting sights of the birds migrating from Asia and Europe. December to February is an excellent time to catch Ghana’s beauty and enjoy all the perks that touring the country carries.
But watch out for the Harmattan winds (the cool, dry Saharan gales blowing into the Gulf of Guinea and across West Africa). The winds can cause your lips, eyes, skin, and throat to dry up.
Carry with you some moisturizers, or you can shop for the local shea butter once you get to Ghana. Also, the winds can cause flight delays, disrupt the beauty and comfort of the beaches, and hikers won’t get the best of the mountain scenery.
Cheapest Time to Visit Ghana
Sopotnicki/Shutterstock
February, the last month of Ghana’s dry season, is often the cheapest time to tour the country. The country is recovering from the busy end-year months, and there are few activities and festivities this month.
Also, the weather is hazy and dusty, thanks to the dry Harmattan winds blowing through the West African countries. The beaches may not be at their best at this time, and serious photographers may not capture the best shots at this time.
But the options for things to do are still endless in February. For instance, wildlife lovers have the best opportunity to catch the sights of the county’s elephants and other wildlife walking in parks searching for the available water points.
Also, the bird populations have increased, thanks to all the Palearctic migrants from various parts of the world. Another cheapest time to visit the country is in October.
During this time, the summer rains have ceased, and the humidity levels are lowering in the country. The crowds have yet to start streaming into Ghana, and traveling is relatively cheap.
Least Busy Time to Visit Ghana
Felix Lipov/Shutterstock
April through October mark the least busy time to experience the beauty of the Ghanaian land. It’s amidst the country’s wettest months (rainy season), and the lush greenery makes it the best time for photographers to capture some great shots (especially from April to August).
The Harmattan winds haven’t begun, and the sky is clear and beautiful. By September to November, many tourists from North America and Europe have left the country, and the harvest festivals are beginning.
Ghana’s North receives cooling rains, while the Southern part stops receiving the rains in November. While the climate can be humid and sticky, the cool temperatures and lush greenery will keep you comfortable.
The inland roads may be flooded, restricting inside travel. But you still have a lot to watch and do in the outer parts of the country. The Dipo Festivals, for instance, take place yearly between April-May in the country’s Eastern region.
It offers a great way to experience Ghanaian culture and dance. While the months are generally less crowded, watch out for the travel surge occurring in June through August.
After all, more European visitors come during these coolest months. Also, the cool and wet months see a high population of mosquitoes. Thus, remember to carry your mosquito repellant and some malaria pills.
Worst Time to Visit Ghana
MarinaSto/Shutterstock
The least busy time to visit Ghana is often the worst for most people. February, for instance, experiences heightened blows of the harmattan winds, making it mostly dry and dusty.
Also, the wettest months, from April to June, are the worst for some. February features dry winds, hot temperatures, a dusty atmosphere, and hazy skies.
Thus, most people visiting Ghanaian beaches, hiking the mountains, or capturing the country’s beauty in beautiful photographs may not get the best of the moments. On the other hand, those coming in for Ghana’s natural culture will experience some incredible wildlife sightings.
Similarly, the wettest Ghana months, starting April to October, may lead to flooded roads, a high mosquito population, and restricted inland traveling.
But, this is a great time to capture Ghana’s natural beauty, with the clear skies, lush greenery, and some exciting festivals. Ghana has a lot to offer at all times of the year. Your worst time depends on what you wish to achieve with your travel.
Things to Consider Before Visiting Ghana
Vallefrias/Shutterstock
Successfully taking a tour to Ghana needs a lot of preparation, whether doing it for the first time or the sixth round. Here, we discuss some tips and things to consider before booking your trip to Ghana.
Have All the Necessary Items
Entry into Ghana requires that you have certain documents. For instance, have a valid visa before stepping foot in Ghanaian land. Apart from the visa, ensure that you take a yellow fever vaccine and obtain the certificate.
Being a tropical country means Ghana also has a lot of mosquitoes during some seasons. Thus, carry some malaria pills and a mosquito repellant. The malaria pills aren’t necessary, but highly redommended.
Bring some pieces with you, or buy them at the local pharmacies once you reach Ghana. But, a DEET mosquito repellent might be challenging to find in Ghana. Thus, you’re better off carrying a few pieces while coming.
Forget About Using Your Left Hand
The right hand is the most used in Ghana. It’s the hand you use while eating, greeting, or handing something to someone. Ghanaian children are taught at a young age that the left hand should help them clean their bodies in the bathroom.
Using the left hand for eating is considered filthy, while handing someone something or greeting using this hand is a sign of high disrespect.
Carry Your Passport Along
Your passport should be part of your luggage when packing, especially if you dream of going to the cities out of Accra. The checkpoints are common along the roads.
And the police officers often request you to present your passport information. To be safe, print a copy of the document and keep it in your traveling bag in case you need it.
Be Ready to Greet People
Greetings are essential for Ghanaians. The locals read failure to exchange greetings with people you interact with as rudeness. Start practicing saying hello to people you find in a room.
If you find adults somewhere and want to shake hands, begin with the one on the farthest right and greet everyone in your presence.
Learn a Few Words of Ghana’s Languages
Thanks to the country’s colonial history, English is the official language in Ghana. It’s used in Ghana offices and schools as an instructional language and a subject that pupils learn.
However, the country is multilingual, with over 80 native languages. Some of them are government-sponsored, while others are non-government-sponsored. The Twi languages (Akan languages), Dagbane, Dagaare, Ewe, Kasem, Ga, and Nzema are some of the country’s state-sponsored languages.
And Bassari, Adle, Sisaada, Bimoba, and Anufo fall in the non-sponsored category. Learning a few words of Ghana’s native languages will make your stay more fun and ease your communication with the locals.
Frequently Asked Questions
In many parts of Africa, 85% of the roads are unusable during the wet season. Photo taken in Axim Ghana, located in West Africa 2018 November 1/Gerhard Pettersson/Shutterstock
Do you still have questions about what to expect in Ghana? We compiled a few questions and answers to help you understand more.
Are Ghanaians friendly?
Yes. Ghana boasts people who are incredibly hospitable, vibrant, full of life, helpful, and talkative. With a beautifully laid-back culture and the welcoming nature of the citizens, you’ll find many reasons to enjoy your visit to the country.
However, be cautious with the people who want to get along suspiciously fast or ask for cash favors. Scams are numerous in Ghana, especially in the form of romantic relationships.
Is Ghana safe for tourists to visit?
Ghana is mostly safe. However, you’re better off walking with a knowledgeable guide and research from internet guidebooks or forums on the safest places to lodge, how to handle suspicious situations, and other threats.
While the country is relatively safe, the tourists and locals sometimes face crime-related activities, including pickpocketing, fraud, and other petty crimes.
Are same-sex couples welcomed to Ghana?
No. The Ghanaians consider same-sex engagements illegal and don’t recognize LGBTQ+ communities and their related activities.
Are pregnant women allowed entry into Ghana?
Avoiding non-essential travel, especially to tropical countries with disease risks while pregnant, is always recommended. That makes Ghana one of the destinations in the red lights, considering how easy it is to catch malaria in the country.
Thus, you may want to postpone your travel to this West African country. If necessary, consult with your physician before traveling.
Is it easy to find medical and security-related assistance in Ghana?
Yes. The Ghanaian emergency service providers and police are friendly and ready to help. Reach out whenever you need their attention.
Also, almost all significant towns and cities in Ghana have private and public health facilities with modern medicine and top-level assistance to help the tourists and locals. Reach out to your tourists’ medical insurance provider to find help with your medical contingencies while abroad.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Ghana?
October through March is the best time for most people to visit Ghana. The humidity levels are low, temperatures marginally cooler, and several cultural events and festivities are going on.
But it’s not the only time to come to Ghana since the country has a lot to offer almost every month of the year. However, you can’t go wrong visiting any time of the year. So what are you waiting for — book your trip to Ghana today!